Reading Stages

Reading is a complex process and children begin to read at varying ages, the following stages are an overview of the reading process from birth until the age where the student begins the process of learning to read

The infant hears the sounds of language from those around him or her. The infant soon tries to communicate in the langauge of those around him.

When the infant is read to on a regular basis,he/she soon begins to be aware that books have a message. They start to hold their books upright and try to turn pages.

The young child (ages 2-3) begins to memorize pages from books and asks for the same book to be read over and over.

The 3-4 year old begins to play with language. They memorize nursery rhymes and other poetry and songs. They start to recognize their own name and print in their environment (WalMart, Burger King...).

When children start Pre-K or kindergarten, they begin to show an interest in the alphabet and its relationship to reading.  They play at reading and writing. Some children have a strong auditory ability and they begin to try and "sound out" words, while children with a strong visual ability might first develop a large sight vocabulary. A balanced approach to the teaching of reading will provide children with the skills they need to become successful readers.